COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
743 
The use of human flesh as bait was in great vogue among the Hawaiian chiefs. 
It was cheaper than pig, was equally acceptable to the shark, and gave the chief an 
opportunity to kill anyone whom he disliked. The victim was cut up and left in a 
receptacle to decompose for two or three days. Kamehameha I was a great shark 
hunter and kept his victims penned up near the great heiau (temple) of Mookini, 
near Kawaihae, Hawaii. 
NEW FORMS OF APPARATUS PROPOSED. 
It is probable that the beam trawl could be used to advantage in the deeper 
waters around the islands. This apparatus, which is an immense bag, with wide 
flaring mouth, the bag running to a point at the end, is worked from the deck of a 
sail or steam vessel. Long cables are attached to the sides of the mouth of the bag, 
and the trawl is dropped overboard while the vessel is in motion. It sinks to the 
bottom, and as the vessel moves forward is drawn along the bottom, scooping up 
eveiything in its path. When it has been down a sufficient length of time the vessel 
is brought up into the wind, the trawl raised to the deck, where it is emptied, and then 
dropped overboard for another trial. Sharks are very destructive to nets used in 
the deeper waters, and also eat the fish out of them; with the beam trawl this would 
be obviated. 
Pound nets made of fine wire could be used to advantage on the leeward side of 
the islands and in the bays. Netting could not be used, as the sharks and larger 
fishes would tear it to shreds while struggling to get in or out. 
Fyke or hoop nets would probably prove profitable in the bays and rivers. 
They could be set and left without further attention until it was convenient for the 
fisherman to raise them. 
BAIT. 
Catching of bait . — The natives generally use live bait in the line fisheries, and their 
method of catching it is rather interesting. In the morning a medium-length fine- 
mesh seine is loaded in the canoe or canoes, each of which contains two or three 
men, and is paddled about 40 or 50 feet from the shore. One man is left on the land, 
and he runs along the rough, rocky shore with a small pail of dried opae, of which he 
takes out a few jit intervals, and, after chewing in his mouth a few moments, spits them 
into his hand and throws them on to the surface of the water a short distance from 
the shore. If no fish rise to the bait thrown out it is quite certain none is there, and 
he runs on a little farther and repeats the operation. When fish rise to the surface 
and nibble at the bait he signals to the canoemen, who immediately paddle in close to 
the spot, and all but one, who is left in the boat to maneuver it, drop overboard with 
the seine and sweep it around the spot, inclosing the fish. 
On most of the islands the nehu is the principal species of bait fish taken, while 
on Hawaii the piha is also used for the same purpose. The young of. many other 
species are taken in these seines and used as bait, to the great havoc of the general 
fisheries. 
Bait used . — Live opae are very frequently used for bait in the line fisheries. 
All species of young fish are used as bait, both alive and dead, though the former 
are preferred. In fishing for mahimahi (dolphin) young akule (called agi by the 
Japanese) are used. 
